North Shore was as good as expected in its season-opening victory over Clear Springs. Manvel losing to Westfield, however, has curiously been viewed as a letdown. Like Manvel, Westfield is one of the state’s elite teams and should contend for a regional championship. Regardless of that, this week will be viewed as a chance for Manvel to get on track. This week’s game always was going to be one of the most watched in the state. Now it has an extra wrinkle involved.

North Shore was as good as expected in its season-opening victory over Clear Springs. Manvel losing to Westfield, however, has curiously been viewed as a letdown. Like Manvel, Westfield is one of the state’s

George Ranch has won 20 of its last 21 regular season games. Its only loss in that span was against Friendswood last year. What a thriller it was. The lead changed seven times in the last quarter and a half, including twice in the final two minutes. Friendswood won the game when it scored with 38 seconds remaining. This year’s game should be just as competitive with George Ranch leaning on running back Darius Anderson (1) and Friendswood looking to quarterback Tyler Page to lead the way. less

George Ranch has won 20 of its last 21 regular season games. Its only loss in that span was against Friendswood last year. What a thriller it was. The lead changed seven times in the last quarter and a half, ... more

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 3. of 5 |
Elite running backs face off

Elite running backs face off

It should be no surprise Elsik and Stratford are off to fast starts. Each has an elite tailback leading the way. Elsik’s E.J. Davis and Stratford’s Rakeem Boyd (26) fared well in their season openers. This week, they’ll show what they can do in front of each other. Davis, a three-star recruit with offers from California and Georgia Tech, rushed seven times for 138 yards and scored three touchdowns in a blowout victory. Boyd, a recent Texas A&M verbal pledge, carried 13 times for 88 yards and one touchdown in a win over rival Memorial. Elsik and Stratford play at 7 p.m. Friday at Crump.

It should be no surprise Elsik and Stratford are off to fast starts. Each has an elite tailback leading the way. Elsik’s E.J. Davis and Stratford’s Rakeem Boyd (26) fared well in their season openers. This ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea, For The Chronicle

Image 4. of 5 |
Encore for Travis receiver?

Encore for Travis receiver?

Cameron Ricardo-Shankle burst onto the scene last week when he caught 14 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns against Seven Lakes. The third score was the winner in the second overtime. It was a dynamite debut, but now the senior and his teammates face a much tougher task against Katy on Friday night. The outlook is not totally bleak. First-year Travis coach Trey Sissom built a high-flying offense at Bellaire and seems to not be missing a beat after the Tigers scored 50 points in last week’s victory. less

Cameron Ricardo-Shankle burst onto the scene last week when he caught 14 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns against Seven Lakes. The third score was the winner in the second overtime. It was a dynamite ... more

Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance

Image 5. of 5 |
More high scores?

More high scores?

Atascocita scored an eye-popping 79 points Friday, but the Eagles were far from the only team to light up a scoreboard. They were not the only team to crack 70, as Strake Jesuit did so in a victory over Aldine. Worthing scored 66 points, Klein Collins 62 and Dickinson 61. Ten more teams scored at least 50. This week gets more difficult for many of those teams. The biggest threat to score high again is Channelview, which put up 57 and hosts South Houston on Friday. The highest scoring game could be when Worthing meets Sharpstown Friday night at Butler. The two combined for 118 points scored last week. less

Atascocita scored an eye-popping 79 points Friday, but the Eagles were far from the only team to light up a scoreboard. They were not the only team to crack 70, as Strake Jesuit did so in a victory over Aldine. ... more